SFL Chapter 44

Mei Mingxuan readily accepted the magistrate and Master Li’s request without hesitation, promising to help.

After returning, he informed Liu Jinniang about it, and she expressed concern for her husband’s well-being, questioning the hardships he might face.

Mei Mingxuan assured her, “It may be a bit challenging at the beginning, but it will get easier later. Besides, you’ve almost completed your studies and can start a business soon.”

Liu Jinniang, focused on her studies, acknowledged her progress, emphasizing the uniqueness of each student’s learning experience despite sharing the same classroom.

Mei Mingxuan aimed to influence more people through educating students, considering it a virtuous endeavor. Liu Jinniang believed he enjoyed being a teacher, but Mei Mingxuan’s deeper purpose was to create an impact through educated individuals.

Returning to the magistrate’s office, he quickly gathered accomplished scholars who abandoned the imperial examination path to meet at the county office.

These scholars, mostly elderly with graying hair, included a few former teachers. Mei Mingxuan understood that being a successful teacher required both knowledge and the ability to cultivate noteworthy students.

The magistrate, aware of their reservations, requested them to attend classes at Mei’s school as a gesture of goodwill, assuring them the choice was voluntary.

“Since the magistrate has spoken, let’s visit Mei’s school,” the scholars said.

Most of them didn’t take the magistrate’s words to heart, attending merely to save face. Their primary intention was to scrutinize the person making grand claims. If the knowledge didn’t meet their standards, they wouldn’t spare Mei Mingxuan any embarrassment.

Upon their arrival, Liu Jinniang was graduating from the school. Witnessing a woman in the school, many scholars were angered, criticizing Mei Mingxuan for defiling the sanctity of the learning environment.

Ignoring the uproar outside, Mei Mingxuan handed the graduation certificate to Liu Jinniang, expressing his expectations, “No matter what lies ahead, remember that I am here to support you.”

【Ding! Target Strategy: Liu Jinniang.

Current favorability towards the host: 100%.】

Liu Jinniang left the school confidently, leaving the scholars speechless.

With the magistrate explaining Liu Jinniang’s  presence, stating she was Mei Mingxuan’s wife pursuing education, the scholars reluctantly accepted the situation.

To accommodate the scholars, Mei Mingxuan had the children study quietly while he took the scholars to another classroom. This session didn’t involve the students; instead, it was attended by older individuals.

Returning to the classroom, Mei Mingxuan took a student’s seat, evoking nostalgic memories for many scholars.

As Mei Mingxuan initiated a Q&A session, Liu Jinniang ventured to the family’s shops with her associates, focusing on her business endeavors. Raised in a merchant family, Liu Jinniang was not the typical demure woman, having long harbored a desire for business that her father never approved.

While Mei Mingxuan and Liu Jinniang pursued their respective activities, they enjoyed rich conversations upon returning home. Mei Mingxuan didn’t intervene much in Liu Jinniang’s affairs, but her husband’s unwavering support became evident during challenging times.

With such a supportive husband, Liu Jinniang found contentment, unaffected by the disapproval from Mei’s family or the external judgment she faced.

As Mei Mingxuan successfully educated the scholars in the county, Liu Jinniang became pregnant. With a child on the way, the couple decided to take a break from both business and the school, sharing an unspoken understanding.

Liu Jinniang focused on preparing for motherhood rather than expanding her business. Mei Mingxuan reduced the number of students he admitted and concentrated on teaching his current batch.

Mei’s nephews, who had achieved academic success, returned home under Mei Mingxuan’s guidance. Their negative traits had been eliminated, and as mature individuals, they were unlikely to be easily led astray.

Yun Cheng, upon returning home, demonstrated leadership qualities in managing the family business despite his young age, bringing joy to many parents.

Ji Lin pursued the imperial examination path, excelling and gaining a recommendation from the magistrate to further his studies at a higher institution.

Other “students” attending Mei’s school for the sake of learning unexpectedly applied their acquired knowledge to their professions. For instance, a farmer increased crop yields, while Ji Lin’s grandfather, a silent attendee in the corner, improved his woodworking skills, benefiting the family.

Although these developments were gradual and not synchronous, no suspicions arose, and only those who had attended Mei Mingxuan’s classes sensed something unusual.

Years later, as Mei Mingxuan and Liu Jinniang’s children grew, the students from Mei’s school innovated faster weaving machines and significantly increased crop yields nationwide. Investigating the origins, it was revealed they all shared the same enlightening teacher.

Notably, Mei Mingxuan’s students spanned various fields, earning admiration even from traditionally elitist scholars.

Upon hearing of Mei Mingxuan’s impact, the Emperor sent envoys to invite him to serve in the imperial court. Mei Mingxuan graciously declined, and although the emperor might have felt regret, he respected Mei Mingxuan’s decision, acknowledging the valuable talents he had nurtured for the realm.

In this era, people were unaware that the students inheriting Mei Mingxuan’s ideology would eventually represent the voice of their time. Gradually, they subtly influenced the entire societal landscape, notably altering fixed class impressions.

During Liu Jinniang’s youth, societal norms emphasized distinctions between scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant. Women engaging in business or attending schools faced social scrutiny. However, as Liu Jinniang aged, she realized these once-pervasive judgments had quietly vanished, and mental shackles had dissipated.

Their daughter, renowned for both talent and wealth even before marriage, attracted numerous suitors, challenging the traditional biases against merchant families.

Liu Jinniang felt she had witnessed an era unfold. In her old age, holding Mei Mingxuan’s equally aged hand, she smiled gently, saying, “Mei Lang, marrying you, I have no regrets. If only we could have another life together.”

“We will,” Mei Mingxuan promised.

“With your words, I am content…” Liu Jinniang’s eyes slowly dimmed.

With their children settled and successful, Mei Mingxuan had no worries.

However, he was curious about Liu Jinniang’s fate in the original story. Her nature wasn’t submissive, evident from her ventures in business despite societal judgments. Mei Mingxuan asked the system to investigate.

In the original story, Liu Jinniang did indeed willingly accept a lower status.

The original host was not supportive of Liu Jinniang’s business endeavors. From their few encounters, Liu Jinniang discerned her future husband’s preferences. The original host had a personality entirely opposite to hers, and even before marriage, Liu Jinniang tasted bitterness.

After marrying into the Mei family, Liu Jinniang faced disdain from Mei’s relatives, who schemed against her dowry. Frustrated, she felt isolated, unable to share her concerns with a husband aligned with his family.

As time passed, the Mei family prospered with Liu Jinniang’s dowry, but their treatment of her remained cold. Liu Jinniang sensed her marriage might not endure.

With a sense of anticipation rather than sorrow, Liu Jinniang welcomed the news of being cast aside. She knew returning to her family might not be a misfortune, especially considering the Mei family’s questionable rise.

Years later, when her nephew Yun Cheng had married and had children, news arrived that the Mei family faced severe consequences, orchestrated by the original host to protect himself. The Mei family’s previous in-law, the Liu family, couldn’t remain indifferent.

After years of waiting, Liu Jinniang passed away peacefully one quiet night.

In this life, Liu Jinniang didn’t become Mei Mingxuan’s secondary wife, sparing many from harm. After learning of Liu Jinniang’s original story, Mei Mingxuan gathered the accumulated merits. One part was offered to the heavenly path, and the other integrated into Liu Jinniang’s soul.

Mei Mingxuan then accompanied Liu Jinniang’s spirit on their final journey.